Why Soft Skills Matter to Employers

According to a recent poll taken by Adecco, ninety-two percent of business leaders think Americans aren’t as skilled as they should be. Forty-four percent of senior executives surveyed feel Americans lack important soft skills such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

What are Soft Skills?

Soft skills portray how a person interacts in his or her relationship with other individuals. Unlike hard skills which are learned, soft skills are related to emotions or insights that allow people to get a feel for what others are thinking. Some common soft skills include:

Communication

Creative Thinking

Work Ethic

Teamwork

Networking

Decision Making

Positivity

Time Management

Motivation

Problem-Solving

Critical Thinking

Conflict Resolution

While there are many more soft skills, you can get an idea of what they are from this list we’ve provided. Now that you have a better understanding let’s take a look at why these skills are so important in the workplace.

Why are Soft Skills Important?

Think of it this way; you have your choice of two doctors to be seen by. Both are equally qualified and perform excellent work. However, one is stern and treats you like a number in a long line of patients he has to see for the day. The other is always warm and makes sure to ask you how your family is doing. Which doctor would you prefer to see? The one who is pleasant and willing to help, right?

While technical skills help you land a job, it’s your soft skills that make the difference. Your attitude, work ethic, positivity, and communication are just some of the skills needed for you to be successful in your career.

Employers understand that almost every job requires their employees to deal with others in some kind of way, which is why being able to interact with others is crucial. Another reason why soft skills matter to employers is that they are transferable and can be applied to whatever type of job the person is working, making them very versatile employees.

While Adecco found that eighty-nine percent of executives believe that corporate apprenticeship or training programs could help alleviate the skills gap, many businesses are not implementing training programs.

The Jobs Partnership understands that the skills gap between employers and job seekers needs to close. That’s why we are dedicated to encouraging our LifeWorks students through mentorship. We evaluate our student’s workplace abilities and attitudes, helping them to expand their network of relationships. Through this process, not only do they become employable – they become unstoppable. To get started, contact us today by calling 407-641-0755 or by filling out our LifeWorks application online.